With how the disaster of Russell Wilson played out in Mile High, the Denver Broncos are in need of a franchise quarterback for their future. That position where they find themselves is why, to Field Yates, they can’t afford to pass on the position in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, especially if Oregon QB Bo Nix is there for the taking.
Yates explained his selection of Nix to the Broncos during the release of his second mock on Wednesday. Based on fit in their system and the current quarterbacks in their room, he sees it as necessary to select another one in this draft and specifically by taking Nix.
“How about Bo Nix, the quarterback from Oregon? This is a player who thrives off of accuracy and processing. Those are two staples of a Sean Payton–led offense,” Yates said. “When you factor in that Denver right now has only Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on the roster at quarterback? They certainly need to add at least one more arm there.”
Yates also noted how he sees it as a necessity with their first-round pick. That’s because Denver won’t get another chance to do it again until at least the third round of the draft.
“A reminder – they do not pick in the second round because of the trade that sent the New Orleans Saints their second-round pick for Sean Payton,” Yates added.
Matt Miller agreed with Yates’ take because the franchise has yet to acquire a new quarterback. They didn’t sign or trade for one earlier on in this offseason. That tells him they need to take one either at their pick or they need to move up for one.
“If they can’t trade up, this is the player they have to get. You’ve really backed yourself into a corner if you’re the Denver Broncos, as Field laid out,” Miller said. “In this quarterback frenzy this offseason, they didn’t make any moves to add anyone. They didn’t get a Sam Howell, they didn’t get Kenny Pickett, they didn’t go after Justin Fields.”
“So now you’re sitting here at 12? You’re going to have to be comfortable with Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. from Washington. Or try to be aggressive, which is what I have them do in my seven-round mock draft,” said Miller.
Most draft analysis does not have Nix as the No. 12 player or better in this draft. That’s just not where he falls in the order in this class, even with what he did in college.
Still, even so, the No. 12 pick by the Denver Broncos might be what he is due to their need for a quarterback like him, even if it’s seen as a reach. That’s just the spot that they’re in and, as such, may make Nix as a vital pick for them in that slot of the draft.
“This is a very interesting spot. I do like Bo Nix with Sean Payton. He does not turn the ball over, he’s very accurate on underneath throws, he throws a really pretty deep ball. So it is a good scheme fit but I think we all agree this is not where Bo Nix is rated,” Miller opined. “He’s a player that I have in the early-30s. So the Broncos are overdrafting here because they haven’t added a quarterback through free agency or trades.”
“I think this is one of those where the opportunity cost is too good for Denver to pass up on taking a quarterback,” Yates said.
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